OSU was blitzing the pick-and-roll at the top of the key and we didn't have the ball handler (Keshon) that would prevent that from being effective.
We were down KG and they took advantage.
It's almost like our offense was built around having a particular set of skills, and last night we were without an important one.
Also I wouldn't be surprised to learn there was more sickness in the team than what was let on -- nearly everyone seemed to be playing out of character in slow motion.
This is 100% correct. And I like your phrasing—CW and others have said things along the lines of, "This isn't a roster with NBA guys up and down," but I think that can be misinterpreted as an indictment of their talent. They (obviously) do not have the iso ability nor clutch factor from one or two guys to beat even bad teams, to win without putting pressure on defenses and moving the ball around. Or, put differently, the offense the coaches want to run is absolutely "built around having a particular set of skills" on the court most of the time. But when their ideal rotation is available, we've seen great things. We've seen glimpses of great offense even with guys out. But when guys are unavailable for multiple games, there's no magic button coaches can press, even the best talent-evaluators can't sign someone midseason
is Tamin still a PG or is he forced off the ball due to his thumb? I thought it was supposed to be a pain management thing and he would be healed by March. At this point, it doesn't look like it will be healed the rest of the season.
While Lipsey is one of a handful of players—if that—in the country who could maintain some level of productivity with his injury, playing the minutes he's had to, and being the only experienced and capable ball handler, having one ball handler for 2+ games who's hurt and has played the minutes he has is not a recipe for success, at least if you want to win towards the end of the season. So, it was clear in the Houston game the coaches have chosen Jefferson as a workaround "ball handler." You also saw Jones handle the ball more and more last night as the game went on. I believe Fraschilla said during the Arizona game Lipsey's thumb will not heal this season. That implies he needs surgery but isn't likely to injure it further, though I'm no doctor. Either way, it's too much to ask him to be the sole ball handler for multiple games. He often played off the ball with Gilbert, too, though that's more of a versatility thing, to have two "PGs" at the top of the key on opposite sides
